Donegal NOVEMBER 20, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXV • NO 41
R112743
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Spreading joy as Santa Claus BY CATHY MOLITORIS
“Radium Girls” highlights the fight for justice BY CATHY MOLITORIS
“It’s an important story to tell. It’s something to pull on your heartstrings.” “When I first read through Grace’s part, I thought, ‘Wow, I have so many things in common with her,’” she said. “I can put myself into the character because I already know what she feels like in many ways. Even though it’s a sad play, it’s an important story
to tell. It’s something to pull on your heartstrings. It’s engaging, it’s encapsulating, and it shows a part of labor that you wouldn’t normally think about.” Sophomore E li jah Barlett portrays Arthur Roeder, Grace’s former employer and a man struggling with reconciling what he believed to be true with reality. “I’ve really liked diving into the different layers of this character,” Elijah shared. “I’ve been working on trying to get across that Arthur isn’t truly a bad person. It’s just a bad situation.” The show is a bit of a departure from DPA’s usually comedic fare, said Nathan Frey, a junior who plays Edward Markley. His character, a defense attorney for the U.S. Radium Corporation, has been a challenge to perfect. “What I’m having fun with this character is this is my first
See Santa Claus pg 4
“The Crimson House Murder” will spoof detective shows BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Plan to see the Elizabethtown Homeschool Drama Program’s fall play and be ready for an entertaining murder mystery. “If you love the myster y shows of the past, you’ll truly enjoy this show,” said director Ginger Wayde. “It’s a smash-up of Columbo, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie and more. All the fun, stereotypical characters from detective shows of the past are in ‘The Crimson House Murder.’”
“The Crimson House Murder” will be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, and at 1 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Hope Community Church, 1806 Harrisburg Ave., Mount Joy. The play takes place at Crimson House, a rundown hotel where guests are charged exorbitant rates for less-than-stellar service. When a body is found in the sitting room and a beautiful secretary turns up dead, Hercules Porridge, a bumbling detective known as “Junior,” must unravel the mystery. The suspect list is
See “Radium Girls” pg 3
See Homeschool pg 2
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he message of “Radium Girls,” a play that will be performed by Donegal Performing Arts (DPA), is a simple one, said Elena Jenney, who plays a lead character in the show. “Fight for what you believe in,” she said. “Fight for your friends and family, even if everyone might not support you. It’s important to have a voice and speak up for what you think is right.” Based on a true story, “Radium Girls” highlights the pitfalls of using radium - once touted as a miracle cure-all - to paint luminous watch faces in the 1920s. When the girls who paint the watch dials begin to get sick, they uncover the truth that they’re being poisoned by radium. They fight for their day in court, led by Grace Fryer, portrayed by Elena, a
Donegal freshman. “I like historical plays, so this has been really cool to be a part of,” she said, noting that, like her character, she initially resisted being in the spotlight. She changed her mind when she learned more about the story.
Matthew Koch as Santa Claus
the Koch Garpstas Realty Group in Mount Joy, first stepped into the iconic holiday role in 2019. He was a perfect fit. Koch is known as the “Bearded Realtor,” but he puts on a fake beard to play Santa, since his own beard is red. “Kids will pull on it,” he said with a laugh.
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Some of the cast of “Radium Girls”
Matthew Koch will be the first one to tell you he’s had a tough life. He grew up with abusive parents, went through a divorce and then experienced kidney failure, which led to a transplant a few years ago. But Koch was determined to maintain optimism in the face of setbacks. “I have been through a lot, but those trials and tribulations have shaped me to be who I am today,” said the remarried father of three young girls. “Not many of us get a second chance at life, so I’m trying very hard to take advantage of that, to be there for my kids as much as I can. I wake up, and I choose to put a smile on my face. I’m just a happy guy.” It’s fitting, then, that Koch will soon don the suit of the jolly old elf himself when he portrays Santa Claus for the Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce. Koch, who is a Realtor with
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